NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md.  The Navy recently completed the Environmental Assessment for Operations at the Bloodsworth Island Range.

The Navy issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on Feb. 2 for the no-action alternative, and will continue to uphold the 1996 self-imposed moratorium on dropping live or inert ordnance at the Bloodsworth Island Range.

We started this analysis in October 2004 to evaluate any environmental impacts that could occur from a broad scope of conceivable operations, said Captain Zachary Henry, the commanding officer of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Three alternatives for operations and training events at the range were analyzed for potential environmental effects as related to: land use and coastal zone management; range operations/safety; open space and recreation; socioeconomics; topography, geology, and soils; water and sediment quality; vegetation and wetlands; wildlife and fisheries; threatened and endangered species; cultural resources; noise; air quality; hazardous waste management; and transportation.

Navy requirements and priorities have shifted since this effort began, and were taken into consideration as the assessment was finalized. Based upon current requirements, the Navy chose the no-action alternative, which results in no significant impacts to the environment within the Bloodsworth Island Range.

The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for major federal actions. This law requires these documents to evaluate a no-action alternative for the proposed action.

The Navy is committed to responsible environmental stewardship, and at Patuxent River were widely recognized for our conservation efforts for waterfowl and wildlife, as well as numerous habitat improvement projects, said Henry. Our award-winning environmental stewardship efforts will continue to include the Bloodsworth range.

The Bloodsworth Island Range has been an active Navy range since the early 1940s. Located in the Chesapeake Bay, this range lies within the boundaries of Naval Air Systems Commands Atlantic Test Range Facility. The naval air station has been home to naval aviation research, development, test and evaluation and training for aircraft and aircrew, avionics and mission systems for over half a century.